William Conor

(1881 - 1968)

William Conor was the artist who became known as “The People’s Painter”. He was born into a poor Belfast family and he never forgot his roots. His depictions of ordinary people going about their everyday life, struck a chord with the public and he became a greatly loved Belfast figure. Conor was a flamboyant man who enjoyed the artist’s life. He spent most of his life living in Belfast and observing the scenes around him. It’s said he always carried a sketch book and often sketched what he saw.

William Conor’s body of work is a legacy of the Ulster of the past. He is one of the best known Ulster artists.